UK tests powerful drone-zapping laser mounted on all-muscle Wolfhound truck

The United Kingdom’s Defense Equipment and Support (DE&S) have announced the successful testing of Raytheon’s High-Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWS) integrated with a British Army combat vehicle.

This is the first test of its kind conducted in the UK, along with Defense Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) and Raytheon UK.

During the test conducted at DSTL’s range in Porton Down, the laser weapon fired at full power from a British Army Wolfhound armored vehicle.

The lightweight, portable HELWS is the first laser weapon integrated on a land vehicle to be fired in the UK, according to Raytheon.

Raytheon’s high-energy laser weapon system

The laser weapon system has been designed to defeat NATO Class 1 drones. It is made in such a manner that it will be compatible with the country’s existing air defense systems, including radar, command and other platforms.

As per NATO, a Class 1 drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle which is less than 330 pounds (150 kg) in weight and has a normal operating altitude of 5,000 feet and range of 31 miles (50 km).

One of the other major benefits of Raytheon’s HELWS is that it is fully portable, low-cost, and easy to operate. It can also track multiple targets and engage with them at blinding pace.

The US has already certified Raytheon’s HELWS for use in combat.

The laser weapon system has logged more than 40,000 testing hours and downed more than 400 targets, according to the company.

The system operates with a command and control system and can be integrated with wider battle management radar and surveillance systems. The weapon can be mounted on various platforms to meet different operational needs.

In the fresh testing round the HELWS neutralized targets at distances in excess of 0.62 mile (1 km), according to a press release by the UK government.

UK government’s LDEW demonstrator program

The release also mentioned that the mounting of the HELWS on the Wolfhound armored vehicle represents a big step forward in the UK Ministry of Defense’s Land Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) demonstrator program.

“We have proven that the Raytheon high energy laser weapon system can track and engage targets whilst mounted on a vehicle,” said James Gray, chief executive and managing director of Raytheon UK.

The LDEW program aims to provide the British army increased operational advantage on the battlefield.

The next phase of testing for HELWS will include trials with Army personnel later this year,  for further evaluating the system’s capabilities and benefits in real-world scenarios.

It will also allow British soldiers to familiarize themselves with the system and refine requirements for future capability.

“We now look forward to the British Army experimenting with the weapon over the coming months and proving that the technology is battlefield ready,” Gray said.

Team Hersa, which pairs DSTL’s technical expertise with the best acquisition skills from DE&S, is managing delivery of the demonstrators and is responsible for preparing Defense for the introduction of innovative weapons systems, ensuring the UK Armed Forces can successfully exploit this potentially game changing capability at pace.

Matt Cork, Dstl Programme Lead, said, “The joint working between Dstl, DE&S and industry has enabled rapid evolution of this laser demonstrator. The successful testing of this high-powered laser weapon marks a pivotal moment in our ongoing efforts to enhance the future operational capabilities of the British Army.”

“This technology offers a precise, powerful and cost effective means to defeat aerial threats, ensuring greater protection for our forces.”